Asian Development Bank backs ML-1 modernisation

Islamabad: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is finalizing a $1.1 billion investment programme to enhance the efficiency, safety and sustainability of Pakistan Railways' Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway between Karachi and Rohri by 2040. The fact-finding mission, scheduled for January 2027, will evaluate project details with the federal and Sindh governments.

The multi-tranche facility will support upgrading the 480km Karachi-Rohri section, the core passenger and freight corridor, with climate-resilient railway infrastructure, signalling and operations modernisation, and institutional and capacity-building measures. ADB will contribute $1bn from ordinary capital resources and $100m from concessional ordinary capital resources lending.

The project aims to boost national and regional connectivity, logistics efficiency, and economic competitiveness by establishing a fast, safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally sustainable railway system. ADB Vice President for South, Central and West Asia Yingming Yang recently visited Islamabad to discuss ML-1 modernisation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other government officials.

Prime Minister Sharif stressed the importance of upgrading ML-1 for modernising freight logistics and strengthening regional trade connectivity. Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi informed the ADB official that the Karachi-Rohri ML-1 upgradation project, estimated at $2.5bn, is targeted for completion within three years, with the 183km Nawabshah-Rohri section prioritized.

Abbasi urged for expedited approval of the central investment loan and pledged Pakistan's continued cooperation with ADB and other development partners for financing the remaining ML-1 sections from Rohri to Peshawar.